Communicating information concerning printing target data via a messaging screen that is different from a setting screen for communicating printing setting information

ABSTRACT

The first server issues, in response to an issuance request, identification information that corresponds to a printing apparatus and is used for registration processing to use the printing apparatus from a messaging application, and manages first information of the printing apparatus and the identification information, and the second server manages the first information of the printing apparatus and second information of the messaging application and registers the second information of the messaging application so that the printing apparatus corresponding to the identification information from the messaging application can be used if the identification information is determined to be valid by referring to information managed by the first server when the identification information is input via the messaging application, wherein the first server issues, for one printing apparatus, a different piece of identification information for each issuance request.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/269,665, filed Feb. 7, 2019, which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2018-026403, filed Feb. 16, 2018, and JapanesePatent Application No. 2018-026404, Filed Feb. 16, 2018, the entiredisclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system, an information processingapparatus, a control method thereof, and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

The use of a messaging application for so-called chatting in whichmessages are exchanged between a plurality of user terminals via anetwork has become popular (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2012-252699). In recent years, in such a messaging application, servicesusing a bot application that automatically transmits a response inaccordance with the contents of a message transmitted by a user via themessaging application have increased. On the other hand, together withthe popularization of cloud services, a printing device also has anetwork communication function, and there is a cloud print service (Webprint service) that allows a user to make a print instruction from aterminal via a network.

When a cloud print service and a bot application as those describedabove cooperate, the user can make print instructions to a printingdevice in a dialog format with the bot application from a messagingapplication on a terminal. In a cloud print service that uses such amessaging application, the user will transmit a print target image fileto a virtual user to which the bot application responds on the messagingapplication. Furthermore, by inputting the print setting information ina dialog format, it becomes possible to instruct the printing device toprint the image file received by the bot application based on thedesignated print settings.

However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-252699 does not discloseprocessing to perform printing by using a messaging application.

In addition, a messaging application can store each message exchangedbetween a user and a bot application. Hence, there is a demand to beable to reprint an image file that has been already transmitted andprinted by a user in a simple manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a unit to implement printing via amessaging application.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided asystem formed by including a client terminal that includes a messagingapplication, a first server configured to control print processing of aprinting apparatus, and a second server configured to operate incooperation with the messaging application, the first server includingan issuing unit configured to issue, in response to an issuance request,identification information that corresponds to the printing apparatusand is used for registration processing to use the printing apparatusfrom the messaging application, and a first management unit configuredto manage first information of the printing apparatus and theidentification information issued by the issuing unit in associationwith each other, and the second server including a second managementunit configured to manage the first information of the printingapparatus and second information of the messaging application, and aregistration unit configured to register the second information of themessaging application in the second management unit so that the printingapparatus corresponding to the identification information from themessaging application can be used if the identification information isdetermined to be valid by referring to information managed by the firstmanagement unit when the identification information is input via themessaging application, wherein the issuing unit issues, for one printingapparatus, a different piece of identification information for eachissuance request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan information processing apparatus that controls print processingperformed by a printing apparatus in accordance with a print requestfrom a messaging application included in a client terminal, comprising:an issuing unit configured to issue, in response to an issuance request,identification information that corresponds to the printing apparatusand is used for registration processing to use the printing apparatusfrom the messaging application; and a management unit configured tomanage information of the printing apparatus and the identificationinformation issued by the issuing unit in association with each other,wherein the issuing unit issues, for one printing apparatus, a differentpiece of identification information for each issuance request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda control method of an information processing apparatus that controlsprint processing performed by a printing apparatus in accordance with aprint request from a messaging application included in a clientterminal, the method comprising: issuing, in response to an issuancerequest, identification information that corresponds to the printingapparatus and is used for registration processing to use the printingapparatus from the messaging application; managing information of theprinting apparatus and the issued identification information inassociation with each other in a storage unit; and a different piece ofidentification information for each issuance request is issued for oneprinting apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program to cause acomputer to function as an issuing unit configured to issue, in responseto an issuance request, identification information that corresponds to aprinting apparatus and is used for registration processing to use theprinting apparatus from a messaging application included in a clientterminal; and a management unit configured to manage information of theprinting apparatus and the identification information issued by theissuing unit in association with each other, wherein the issuing unitissues, for one printing apparatus, a different piece of identificationinformation for each issuance request.

According to the present invention, highly convenient printing via amessaging application can be implemented.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of aWeb printing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of aclient terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of amessaging application server;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of aprinter according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing connect-ID issuance processingaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a connect-ID management table according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views each showing an example of a connect-IDissuance processing screen according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing registration processing according tothe present invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are views each showing an example of a registrationprocessing screen according to the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views of registered printer management tablesaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing print processing according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a message conversation screenused in the print processing according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sequence chart of registration release processing accordingto the present invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing examples of registration releaseprocessing screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sequence chart of the registration release processing;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of the registration releaseprocessing screen according to the present invention;

FIGS. 17A to 17C are views for explaining a printing operation accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a sequence chart of print setting change processing accordingto the second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a sequence chart of print job execution processing accordingto the second embodiment;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are views of tables showing information managed in adatabase according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a sequence chart of processing performed when print requestinformation has expired;

FIG. 22 is a sequence chart of processing performed when the printrequest information has expired;

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of an expiration notification Webpage according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a view showing a message conversation screen which isdisplayed by a client application according to the second embodiment;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are views of tables showing information managed by adatabase according to the second embodiment;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are views each showing an example of a print settingWeb page which is displayed by a Web browser according to the thirdembodiment;

FIGS. 27A to 27D are views of tables showing information managed by adatabase according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a view showing a message conversation screen which isdisplayed by client application according to the fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 29 is a sequence chart showing processing according to the fourthembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that thefollowing embodiments do not limit the scope of the appended claims, andnot all combinations of features described in the embodiments areessential to the solving means of the present invention.

First Embodiment

An example of a Web service in which a Web print service and a botapplication of a messaging application cooperate to instruct a printingdevice, via a network, to print an image file that has been transmittedfrom a messaging application by a user will be described as anembodiment of the present invention.

[System Arrangement]

The configuration of each server and apparatuses in a system accordingto the embodiment will be described first.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of aclient server network system according to this embodiment. The networksystem according to the embodiment includes a client terminal 100, amessaging application server 200, a bot application server 300, a Webprint server 400, and a printer 500. In FIG. 1 , the client terminal100, the messaging application server 200, and the bot applicationserver 300 are communicably connected to each other via a network 1000.

The bot application server 300 and the Web print server 400 arecommunicably connected to each other via a network 1100. The clientterminal 100 and the Web print server 400 are communicably connected toeach other via a network 1300. The Web print server 400 and the printer500 are communicably connected to each other via a network 1200. Notethat the number of the client terminals 100 and that of the printers 500are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1 , and there may be a pluralityof these devices. In addition, each server may be formed by a pluralityof servers for load distribution.

The networks 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 may be one of, for example, theInternet such as a LAN, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digitalline, an ATM, a frame relay line, a cable TV line, a wireless line fordigital broadcasting, and the like. In addition, the networks suffice tobe a so-called communication network that is implemented by acombination of these networks and is capable of datatransmission/reception, and the networks may be wired or wireless.Furthermore, the networks 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 may be formed bydifferent networks or may have an arrangement that uses the samenetwork.

The client terminal 100 is, for example, a PC (personal computer), asmartphone, a tablet terminal or the like, and is operated by a user.The client terminal 100 includes a client application 110 and a Webbrowser 120. The client application 110 transmits a message including acharacter string, an image file (image data), and the like input by auser operation to a messaging service application 220 of the messagingapplication server 200 via the network 1000. The client application 110also notifies the user of a message received from the messaging serviceapplication 220 via the network 1000.

The Web browser 120 is an application used to display a Web page. TheWeb browser 120 displays a Web page that is provided by a Webapplication 430 included in the Web print server 400 via the network1300. The Web browser 120 also accepts an operation from the user whouses the client terminal 100. Note that Web pages displayed by the Webbrowser 120 are not limited to those provided by the Web application 430of the Web print server 400. In addition, HTML (Hypertext MarkupLanguage) and the like may be used as the description language of eachWeb page, and the description language is not particularly limited.

The messaging application server 200 includes a file storage 210 and themessaging service application 220. The file storage 210 stores eachimage file transmitted from the client application 110 of the clientterminal 100. The messaging service application 220 receives eachmessage and each image file transmitted from the client application 110of the client terminal 100. The messaging service application 220transmits a message reception event to a bot application 310 of the botapplication server 300 via the network 1000 and stores received imagefiles in the file storage 210. The messaging service application 220also transmits a message to the client application 110 based on arequest from the bot application 310. The messaging service application220 returns the image file stored in the file storage 210 to the botapplication 310. Although it is not shown in FIG. 1 , note that themessaging application server 200 performs processing such as messagerelay processing and the like in a case in which messages are to beexchanged between a plurality of client terminals.

The bot application server 300 includes the bot application 310, the Webapplication 320, a database 330, and a file storage 340. The botapplication 310 receives an event notification from the messagingservice application 220 of the messaging application server 200 andexecutes processing corresponding to the contents of the received event.The bot application 310 also transmits a message transmission request tothe messaging service application 220 via the network 1000 as needed.The bot application 310 functions as a virtual user of the messagingservice application 220 and is capable of exchanged messages with theclient application 110 of the client terminal 100.

The Web application 320 provides various functions and Web pagescorresponding to the functions. The database 330 stores proprietaryprinter information of each user and the like. The file storage 340stores each image file to be printed by the printer 500.

The Web print server 400 provides a print service. The print service inthis case is a service that transmits a print/scan instruction receivedfrom the outside to a registered printer (for example, the printer 500)via the network 1200 and causes the registered printer to execute theprint/scan instruction. The Web print server 400 includes a file storage410, a print service 420, the Web application 430, a database 440, atemporary storage database 450, and an authentication service 460.

The authentication service 460 is a service that performs access sourceauthentication by using registered account information when it acceptsaccess from the client terminal 100 or the printer 500. The printservice 420 can be used only when the authentication by theauthentication service 460 has succeeded. The account informationdescribed here includes at least a user ID and a password. In addition,assume that the user of the client application 110 has registered theinformation of the held (usable) printer 500 in advance. Although theembodiment will describe a case in which there is one printer held bythe user, a plurality of printers may be held.

The database 440 stores account information already registered in theprint service, information related to the printer held in an account,and information of an application which is to use the print service.Although the bot application server 300 is set as the only applicationwhich is to use the print service in this embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to this, and a plurality of applications may beset. The print service 420 receives a print request from the botapplication 310 of the bot application server 300, generates a printjob, and notifies the printer 500 of the print job. The file storage 410stores print job data that has been converted into a format processableby the printer 500.

The Web application 430 has a function of issuing and displaying aconnect ID based on a user operation by providing a Web page to the Webbrowser 120 of the client terminal 100 or a Web browser 510 of theprinter 500. In addition, the Web application 430 has a function ofverifying whether the connect ID is valid by receiving the connect IDinput by the user by using the client application 110 via the network.The connect ID will be described in detail later. The temporary storagedatabase 450 is a database for the Web application 430 to temporarilystore the issued registration codes and the like.

The printer 500 includes the Web browser 510. The printer 500 receives aprint job notification from the print service 420 of the Web printserver 400. In addition, the printer 500 executes printing by obtaininga print job from the file storage 410 of the Web print server 400. TheWeb browser 510 is an application for displaying a Web page. The Webbrowser 510 displays the Web page, provided by the Web application 320of the bot application server 300, and accepts the operation from theuser of the client terminal 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware arrangementof the client terminal 100 according to this embodiment. The clientterminal 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a display device104, an input device 105, a communication module 106, and an externalstorage device 107.

The CPU 101 calculates, determines, and controls data and instructionsin accordance with programs stored in the RAM 102 and the ROM 103. TheRAM 102 is a volatile storage area and is used as a temporary storagearea by the CPU 101 to perform various kinds of processing. The ROM 103is a nonvolatile storage area and stores an operating system (OS), theclient application 110, the Web browser 120, and other applicationsoftware. The display device 104 is formed by a liquid crystal displayand a graphic controller, and displays a Web page downloaded from eachserver, a graphical user interface (GUI), and the like. Web page displayis performed by the Web browser 120 downloading a Web page to the RAM102 and displaying the downloaded Web page on the display device 104.

The input device 105 is a device operated by the user to provide variouskinds of instructions to the client terminal 100 such as, for example, akeyboard. The input device 105 is also a device for obtaining an imagesuch as, for example, a camera. Note that the input device 105 is notlimited to these devices, and may be an external part. The clientterminal 100 receives the various instructions made by the user via theinput device 105 and performs various kinds of control corresponding tothe instructions.

The communication module 106 is an interface for communicating with anexternal apparatus connected, for example, via a LAN cable or atelephone line. The communication module 106 connects to a communicationdevice (not shown) such as a router and performs data communication withthe messaging application server 200 and the bot application server 300via the network 1000. Note that the data communication may be performedwirelessly by, for example, an interface supporting wirelesscommunication. The external storage device 107 is a nonvolatile storagearea. For example, if the client terminal 100 is a smartphone, a flashmemory will be used generally as the external storage device 107. Asystem bus 108 exchanges the data between the respective componentsincluded in the client terminal 100.

In FIG. 2 , the display device 104 and the input device 105 are shownseparately in the client terminal 100. However, the present invention isnot limited to this, and a touch panel display or the like integratingthe display device and the input device may be used. In this case, thecamera which is the image capturing device will be arranged separatelyfrom the touch panel display. In addition, although one client terminal100 is shown in FIG. 1 , the messaging application according to theembodiment can exchange messages between a plurality of clientterminals. In this case, the plurality of client terminals may havedifferent hardware arrangements from each other.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware arrangementof the messaging application server 200 according to the embodiment. Themessaging application server 200 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM203, a communication module 204, and an external storage device 206.

The CPU 201 calculates, determines, and controls data and instructionsin accordance with programs stored in the RAM 202 and the ROM 203. TheRAM 202 is a volatile storage area and is used as a temporary storagearea by the CPU 201 to perform various kinds of processing. The ROM 203is a nonvolatile storage area. The communication module 204 is aninterface for communicating with an external apparatus which isconnected, for example, via a LAN cable. The communication module 204connects to a communication device (not shown) such as a router andperforms data communication with the client terminal 100 and the botapplication server 300 via the network 1000. Note that this datacommunication may be performed wirelessly by, for example, an interfacesupporting wireless communication. The external storage device 206stores an operating system (OS) and various kinds of data such as anapplication and the like. A system bus 205 exchanges data between thecomponents included in the messaging application server 200.

The hardware arrangements of the bot application server 300 and the Webprint server 400 are the same as the arrangement of the messagingapplication server 200 described above, and thus a detailed descriptionwill be omitted. Note that each server is not limited to theabove-described arrangement and may, for example, have an arrangementincluded in a general information processing apparatus or have differentarrangements from each other.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware arrangementof the printer 500 according to the embodiment. The printer 500 includesa CPU 501, a RAM 502, a ROM 503, a communication module 504, an outputdevice 506, an input device 508, and a display device 509.

The CPU 501 calculates, determines, and controls data and instructionsin accordance with programs stored in the RAM 502 and the ROM 503. TheRAM 502 is a volatile storage area and is used as a temporary storagearea by the CPU 501 to perform various kinds of processing. The ROM 503is a nonvolatile storage area and stores an operating system (OS), theWeb browser 510, and other application software. The ROM 503 may also bea nonvolatile memory represented by a flash memory in which data can berewritten. The communication module 504 is an interface to communicatewith an external apparatus which is connected, for example, via the LANcable. The communication module 504 connects to a communication device(not shown) such as a router and performs data communication with theWeb print server 400 via the network 1200. Note that the datacommunication may be performed wirelessly by, for example, an interfacesupporting wireless communication.

The output device 506 is a device for forming an image on a print sheet(print medium) such as a paper sheet or the like, and is, for example, aprinting unit. The input device 508 is a panel operated by the user toprovide various kinds of instructions to the printer 500 and is, forexample, formed by hard keys. The display device 509 displays agraphical user interface (GUI) and the like. The display device 509 maybe formed by a full-color liquid crystal display or a small number ofLEDs. Note that a touch panel display integrating the input device 508and the display device 509 may be used. A system bus 507 exchanges databetween the components included in the printer 500.

As described above, assume that the printer 500 according to theembodiment is a network printer capable of communicating with anexternal apparatus via the network. The arrangement of the printer 500according to this embodiment is not limited to the above-describedarrangement and may further include components corresponding to itsfunctions. For example, an MFP (multi-function peripheral) may be usedas the printer 500. In addition, a plurality of printers may be arrangedin the system, and the printers may have different functions from eachother.

[Processing Sequence]

(Connect-ID Issuance Processing)

FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing processing in which the connect ID ofa printer is issued according to the embodiment. Also, FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow examples of the screen of the Web application 430 according to theconnect-ID issuance processing.

In S501, the Web browser 510 of the printer 500 transmits an activationrequest to the Web application 430 of the Web print server 400 uponaccepting an activation instruction via a user operation to issue theconnect ID.

In S502, the Web application 430 returns a connect-ID issuance requestscreen 701 shown in FIG. 7A as a response to the request.

In S503, the Web browser 510 displays the connect-ID issuance requestscreen 701. Upon accepting an issuance instruction by a user operationmade via an issuance request button 702 on the connect-ID issuancerequest screen 701, the Web browser 510 transmits a connect-ID issuancerequest to the Web application 430. The connect-ID issuance requestincludes a printer ID which is the unique identifier (identificationinformation) of the printer 500 in the print service 420.

In S504, upon receiving the connect-ID issuance request, the Webapplication 430 performs a search in the database 440 based on theprinter ID included in the request and determines whether the printer IDis already registered. If the printer ID is registered, a random valuehaving a fixed digit count is issued as the connect ID. Note that it isassumed that the user has registered the printer ID in the Web printserver 400 before requesting the connect ID. The connect ID is used asthe authentication information when the printer 500 is to be registered.In addition, the Web application 430 stores the issued connect ID, theprinter ID, and the printer information obtained from the database 440by using the printer ID as a key, and the expiration date of the connectID in the temporary storage database 450. Although an example in which a9-digit random value is generated as the connect ID will be describedhere, the present invention is not limited to this, and the generationmethod of the random value is also not particularly limited to this.Furthermore, a predetermined value or a period from a predeterminedtiming may be used as the expiration date of the connect ID.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the arrangement of a connect-ID managementtable 600 managed by the temporary storage database 450 according to theembodiment. In the connect-ID management table 600, the connect ID, theprinter ID, the printer type, and the expiration date are managed inassociation with each other. Note that in FIG. 6 , two connect IDs(“amskri6ej” and “abdbdc612”) are being managed for the same printer ID(“05001”). This is because the connect ID issuance has been performedtwice for this single printer. For example, if the user operates theprinter 500 to make a request for a connect ID corresponding to the botapplication 310, a connect ID will be issued for the bot application 310(for the bot application server 300). Subsequently, if the user operatesthe printer 500 to make a request for another connect ID for another botapplication, the other connect ID for the other bot application (for theother bot application server) will be issued. As a result, two connectIDs are issued for the same printer. Note that although it is notincluded in FIG. 6 , in order to cope with such processing, applicationIDs (BOT0001, BOT0002, and the like) may be further managed in theconnect-ID management table 600 shown in FIG. 6 . In this embodiment,different connect IDs will be issued even for the same user if theexpiration date has passed. Note that it may be arranged so that adifferent connect ID will be issued (updated) even if the same usermakes the connect-ID issuance request again within the expiration date.In addition, it may be arranged so that only the expiration date will beupdated if the same user makes the connect-ID issuance request againwithin the expiration date.

In S505, the Web application 430 returns a connect-ID display screen 710of the Web page which includes the connect ID generated in S504 as aresponse to the connect-ID issuance request to the Web browser 510. Asshown in FIG. 7B, the connect-ID display screen 710 is formed so as todisplay a connect ID 711 and the information of an expiration date 712.Note that the connect-ID display screen 710 may further includeinformation related to the printer.

(Registration Processing)

FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing the registration processing of theclient application 110 and the printer 500 according to the embodiment.The sequence shown in FIG. 8 is started, for example, when the usermakes a registration processing request from the client terminal 100. Inaddition, FIGS. 9A to 9C are examples of a message conversation screenof the client application 110 displayed in the registration processingaccording to this embodiment. Messages and image files transmitted fromthe user and the message conversation partner are sequentially displayedfrom above in time-series on the message conversation screen provided bythe client application 110. Assume here that speech balloons on theleft-hand side of the screen represent messages and images transmittedfrom the conversation partner and speech balloons on the right-hand sideof the screen represent messages and images transmitted from the user.In the examples shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the conversation partner is thebot application 310 serving as a virtual user and is indicated here as a“Print Bot User”. In addition, this is also indicated as a “Print Bot”in the icon on the left-hand side of the screen.

In S801, the bot application 310 transmits a connect-ID input messagerequest to the messaging service application 220.

In S802, in response to receiving the connect-ID input message request,the messaging service application 220 transmits a connect ID inputmessage to the client application 110. Upon receiving the connect-IDmessage request, the client application 110 displays a connect-ID inputmessage 901 on the conversation screen as shown in FIG. 9A. The contentsof the connect-ID input message 901 are not particularly limited and aredisplayed in accordance with the contents of the message received fromthe client application 110.

As shown in FIG. 9A, assume that the user has input the connect ID(“r52wud6rz” in this case) as a message 902 from the client application110 on the client terminal 100. Subsequently, after the connect ID hasbeen input, the user makes an instruction to transmit the connect ID. Inaccordance with this operation, the client application 110 transmits, inS803, the input connect ID to the messaging service application 220.

In S804, the messaging service application 220 transmits a notificationincluding the connect ID received from the client application 110 andthe identification information that can individually identify the clientapplication 110 as the message transmission source in S803. Thisidentification information that can individually identify the clientapplication 110 may be unique for each client application 110. Inaddition, if it is arranged so that the user is required to log in tothe client application 110 when the client applications is to be used,this identification may be the identification information unique to thelogin user.

In S805, the bot application 310 transmits, to the Web application 430,a request to verify the connect ID included in the notification receivedin S804. The verification request here includes at least the connect IDinput in S803 and the application ID assigned to the bot application 310by the print service 420. Assume that “BOT0001” is the application IDassigned to the bot application 310 in this case.

In S806, the Web application 430 refers to the connect-ID managementtable 600 stored in the temporary storage database 450 and performsverification of the connect ID indicated in the verification request.More specifically, the Web application 430 determines whether theconnect ID indicated in the verification request is present in theconnect-ID management table 600 and has not expired. The Web application430 will determine that the connect ID is valid and authentic if thiscondition is satisfied. If the connect ID has expired here, the Webapplication 430 will delete the connect ID from the connect-IDmanagement table 600. Note that, as described above, the connect-IDmanagement table 600 shown in FIG. 6 may further manage the applicationID. The process of S806 performed in such a case will be described. TheWeb application 430 can determine that the application ID (for example,BOT0001) and the connect ID indicated in the verification requestreceived in S805 are present in the same record in the connect-IDmanagement table 600 of FIG. 6 and that the expiration date has notpassed.

In S807, the Web application 430 returns, to the bot application 310,the verification result obtained in S806 as a response to theverification request. If the connect ID is valid, the Web application430 will return the printer ID and the printer information such as theprinter type obtained from the temporary storage database 450 togetherwith the verification result to the bot application 310. On the otherhand, if the connect ID is invalid, the bot application 310 will suspendthe registration processing and will make a request to transmit aregistration error message to the client application 110 via themessaging service application 220. In this case, the client application110 will display a registration error message 904 as shown in FIG. 9B.

In S808, upon receiving a notification that the connect ID is valid inS807, the bot application 310 stores the received printer informationand the identification information of the client application 110received in S804 in the database 330. An example of the management tableto be arranged in the database 330 here will be described later withreference to FIG. 10A. At this time, if the same set of clientapplication identification information and the printer ID is alreadyregistered in the management table, the bot application 310 willtransmit an already-registered message to the client application 110 viathe messaging service application 220. In this case, the clientapplication 110 displays an already registered message 905 on theconversation screen as shown in FIG. 9C.

In S809, the bot application 310 transmits a registration completionnotification to the Web application 430. This notification includes atleast the connect ID and the application ID of the bot application 310.

In S810, upon receiving the registration completion notification, theWeb application 430 stores, in the database 440, the printer ID and theapplication ID of the bot application indicated in the registrationcompletion notification. More specifically, the Web application 430obtains, from the connect-ID management table 600 shown in FIG. 6 , theprinter ID corresponding to the connect ID included in the registrationcompletion notification received in S809. Subsequently, the Webapplication 430 stores the printer ID obtained from the connect-IDmanagement table 600 and the application ID of the bot applicationincluded in the registration completion notification in the database 440(FIG. 10B). The arrangement of the management table provided in thedatabase 440 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10B. Inaddition, the Web application 430 deletes the connect ID from theconnect-ID management table 600 of the temporary storage database 450.

In S811, the Web application 430 notifies the bot application 310 of theregistration result.

In S812, upon receiving the registration result, the bot application 310transmits a registration completion message request to the messagingservice application 220.

In S813, upon receiving the registration completion message request, themessaging service application 220 transmits a registration completionmessage to the client application 110. Upon receiving the registrationcompletion message, the client application 110 displays the registrationcompletion message 903 on the conversation screen as shown in FIG. 9A.Subsequently, the sequence ends.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show examples of management tables according to thisembodiment. A management table 1001 holds client applicationidentification information, a printer ID, and a printer type name inassociation with each other. The management table 1001 is stored in thedatabase 330 by the bot application 310. For example, the managementtable 1001 is updated in S808 of FIG. 8 . Note that in S808, if theapplicable client application identification information is present themanagement table 1001, the registration processing may be continued bydeleting the record corresponding to this identification informationfrom the management table 1001 or the registration may be suspended. Inaddition, it may be arranged so as to permit the redundancy of theclient application identification information and allow a plurality ofprinters to be registered.

A management table 1002 holds each application ID and a printer ID inassociation with each other. The management table 1002 is stored in thedatabase 440 by the Web application 430 in S810 of FIG. 8 . Note thateven in a case in which the user performs the registration processingfor the printer 500 and another bot application which is different fromthe bot application 310, the same processing as that of FIG. 8 will beexecuted basically. Hence, in a case in which the user executes theprocessing of FIG. 8 for another bot application, for example, anapplication ID (for example, BOT0002) corresponding to the other botapplication and the input printer ID will be managed in the table shownin FIG. 10B.

(Print Processing)

FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing processing until the printer 500prints an image file transmitted from the client application 110 by theuser according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 shows an example of a messageconversation screen of the client application 110 in the processing tocause the printer 500 to print an image file transmitted from the clientapplication 110 by the user according to this embodiment.

First, the user performs an operation to upload an image file from theclient application 110 by operating the input device 105 of the clientterminal 100. By this operation, a message 1201 indicating the imagefile is displayed on the conversation screen as shown in FIG. 12 . InS1101, as a result of this operation, the client application 110transmits the designated image file to the messaging service application220 of the messaging application server 200.

In S1102, upon receiving the image file, the messaging serviceapplication 220 transmits an image upload notification to the botapplication 310 of the bot application server 300. The notificationperformed here includes at least the identification information of theclient application 110 which is the message transmission source inS1101. This identification information may be unique to each clientapplication 110. Alternatively, if it is arranged so that the user isrequired to log in to the client application 110 when the clientapplication is to be used, it may be the identification informationunique to the login user.

In S1103, upon receiving the image upload notification, the botapplication 310 transmits an image file obtainment request to themessaging service application 220.

In S1104, upon receiving the image file obtainment request, themessaging service application 220 responds to the bot application 310 bytransmitting the requested image file in return.

In S1105, bot application 310 specifies the printer ID of the printerwhich is to perform the printing by referring to the management table1001 by using, as the key, the identification information of the clientapplication 110 included in the notification received in S1102. Forexample, in the example of FIG. 10A, in a case in which identificationinformation “C0001” has been designated in the notification, the printerID of the printer to perform the printing will be “03679”.

In S1106, the bot application 310 generates print request information.Note that the print request information includes the print settinginformation, the identification information of the client application110 included in the notification received in S1102, the print targetimage file, and the printer ID specified in S1105.

In S1107, the bot application 310 transmits a print request to the Webapplication 430. The print request includes the print requestinformation generated in S1106 and the application ID (“BOT0001” in thisexample) assigned to the bot application 310 by the print service.

In S1108, the Web application 430 searches the management table 1002based on the application ID included in the received print request andthe printer ID included in the print request information. The Webapplication 430 confirms whether the bot application 310 is permitted touse the printer 500. A case in which a bot application is permitted touse the printer corresponds to a case in which the application ID andthe printer ID are registered in the management table 1002.

In S1109, if the use is permitted, the Web application 430 stores theprint target image file included in the print request information in thefile storage 410.

In S1110, the Web application 430 generates a print job from the imagefile read out from the storage destination information of the printtarget image file and the print setting information included in theprint request information included in the print request.

In S1111, the Web application 430 transmits the generated print job tothe print service 420.

In S1112, upon receiving the print job, the print service 420 transmitsa print job notification to the printer 500.

In S1113, upon receiving the print job notification, the printer 500makes a print job request to the print service 420.

In S1114, upon receiving the print job request, the print service 420transmits the print job to the printer 500 as a response to the request.

In S1115, upon receiving the print job, the printer 500 causes theoutput device 506 to perform an output process based on the print job.

In S1116, after the output process has been completed, the printer 500transmits a print result notification to the print service 420.

In S1117, upon receiving the print result notification, the printservice 420 transmits the print result notification to the Webapplication 430.

In S1118, the Web application 430 transmits the print resultnotification to the bot application 310.

In S1119, upon receiving the print result notification, the botapplication 310 transmits a print result notification messagetransmission request to the messaging service application 220.

In S1120, upon receiving the print result notification messagetransmission request, the messaging service application 220 transmits aprint result message to the client application 110. As a result, theclient application 110 displays a print result message 1202 on theconversation screen as shown in FIG. 12 . Subsequently, this processingsequence ends.

(Registration Release Processing)

FIG. 13 shows a sequence chart of printer registration releaseprocessing according to the embodiment. The sequence shown in FIG. 13 isstarted when, for example, the user makes a registration releaseprocessing request from the printer 500. FIGS. 14A and 14B show examplesof the screens of the Web application 430 in the printer registrationrelease processing according to the embodiment.

In S1301, the Web browser 510 of the printer 500 accepts a useroperation instructing the activation of the Web application 430. As aresult, the Web browser 510 transmits an activation request to the Webapplication 430.

In S1302, the Web application 430 returns a release request screen 1401shown in FIG. 14A to the Web browser 510. The release request screen1401 includes a release request button 1402 for instructing the printerregistration to be released. In addition, the application ID (“BOT0001”in this example) of the registered application (the bot application 310in this case) is displayed in the release request screen 1401.

When the release request button 1402 on the release request screen 1401is pressed by the user, the Web browser 510 transmits a release requestto the Web application 430. The release request transmitted hereincludes the printer ID which is the identification information of theprinter 500 in the print service and the application ID (“BOT0001” inthis example) of the bot application 310.

In S1304, upon receiving the release request, the Web application 430deletes the set of the application ID and the printer ID included in therelease request from the management table 1002 in the database 440.

In S1305, the Web application 430 transmits a delete request to the botapplication 310. The delete request transmitted here includes at leastthe printer ID of the printer.

In S1306, upon receiving the delete request, the bot application 310deletes all of the pieces of registration information associated withthe printer ID in the management table 1001 of the database 330.

In S1307, the bot application 310 transmits deletion processingcompletion notification to the Web application 430.

In S1308, upon receiving the completion notification, the Webapplication 430 transmits a completion screen 1403 shown in FIG. 14B tothe Web browser 510. Subsequently, the sequence ends.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that only the bot application 310 willuse the print service provided by the Web print server 400. In contrast,for example, in a case in which a plurality of applications can use theprint service, it can be arranged so that these applications will bedisplayed in a list in a selectable manner on the release request screen1401 and the user can select the application to be released from thelist. In addition, the release request screen 1401 may be displayed byoperating, before the executing the processing of FIG. 13 , the printer500 to select the release target bot application from the botapplication 310 and another bot application and subsequently making therelease request.

FIG. 15 shows the sequence chart of the printer registration releaseprocessing performed from the client application 110. FIG. 16 shows anexample of the screen of the client application 110 during the printerregistration release processing according to the embodiment. That is, inthis embodiment, the registration release processing can be instructedfrom the printer 500 and the client application 110.

First, the user makes an operation from the client application 110 torelease the printer registration by operating the input device 105 ofthe client terminal 100. A description will be made here by assumingthat a message “delete printer” will be input. A release request message1601 is displayed on the conversation screen as shown in FIG. 16 by thisoperation. As a result of this operation, the client application 110will transmit, in S1501, the release request message to the messagingservice application 220.

In S1502, upon receiving the release request message, the messagingservice application 220 transmits a release request to the botapplication 310. The release request transmitted here includes theidentification information of the client application 110 which is thetransmission source of the message in S1501. This identificationinformation may be unique to each client application 110. Alternatively,if it is arranged so that the user is required to log in to the clientapplication 110 when the client application is to be used, it may be theidentification information unique to the login user.

In S1503, upon receiving the release request, the bot application 310refers to the management table 1001 of the database 330 and deletes theidentification information of the client application and the printer IDassociated to this information.

In S1504, the bot application 310 transmits a release completion messagefor the client application 110 to the messaging service application 220.

In S1505, upon receiving the release completion message, the messagingservice application 220 transmits the completion message to the clientapplication 110. As a result, a completion message 1602 is displayed onthe conversation screen as shown in FIG. 16 . At this time, theinformation of the printer that has been released from the registrationmay be displayed. Subsequently, the processing sequence ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible toimplement printing via a messaging application. In addition, it ispossible to easily and safely perform the registration of the messagingapplication and the printer information registered in the cloud printservice.

Note that this embodiment described a case in which the connect-ICissuance of the Web application 430 is executed on the Web browser 510of the printer 500. However, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, a connect-ID issuance request may be executed via theWeb browser 120 on the client terminal 100. In this case, a list ofregistered printers is displayed on the Web browser 120 to the userlogged in to the print service, and a printer may be selected by theuser.

In addition, the registration release from the Web browser 510 isperformed on an application ID basis in this embodiment. However, thepresent invention is not limited this, and the registration release maybe performed on a client application basis or the user basis by addingthe identification information of the client application 110 or theidentification information used to specify the user who is to use theclient application to the management table 1002.

Furthermore, although this embodiment described a case in which the userof the client application 110 and the owner of the printer 500 are thesame, they may be different.

[Printing Operation]

A case in which the messaging application is used to print an image willbe described here. The screen display at the time of the execution ofthe printing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 17A to17C.

FIG. 17A shows an example of a message conversation screen displayed bythe client application 110 on the display device 104 of the clientterminal 100. Messages and image files transmitted from the user and themessage conversation partner are sequentially displayed from above intime-series on the message conversation screen provided by the clientapplication 110. Assume here that speech balloons on the left-hand sideof the screen represent messages and images transmitted from theconversation partner and speech balloons on the right-hand side of thescreen represent messages and images transmitted from the user. In theexample shown in FIG. 17A, the conversation partner is the botapplication 310 serving as a virtual user and is indicated here as a“Print Bot User”. In addition, this is also indicated as a “Print Bot”in the icon on the left-hand side of the screen.

In FIG. 17A, the bot application 310 transmits (S1101) a message 1701requesting the transmission of an image file (a photograph in this case)which is to be the print target. Upon receiving this message, the usertransmits the image file as a message 1702. The bot application 310 thentransmits a message 1703 as a response to the message 1702. The message1703 includes buttons as shown by buttons 1704 and 1705 other than atext indicating the reception of the image file. The user can pressthese buttons to transmit a fixed message to the conversation partnerand to make settings to activate the Web browser and access a specificURL. Note that the text shown in the message 1703 is merely an exampleand may be another character string. Also, although FIG. 17A shows anexample in which buttons are provided in the message, the presentinvention is not limited to this, and a message formed by another objectmay be used.

For example, in a case in which the button 1704 of FIG. 17A is pressed,the client application 110 will transmit a print request instructionmessage to the messaging service application 220. In addition, in a casein which the button 1705 is pressed, an instruction will be given toopen the access URL of the Web page for updating the print settingswhich is included in the message 1703. In this case, an instruction willbe made to activate the Web browser 120 of the client terminal 100 fromthe client application 110.

Note that the embodiment described an operation mode in which the Webbrowser 120 is activated by a specific URL when the button is pressed.However, the same effect can be obtained by an arrangement in which adirect URL link is displayed instead of the button in the message andthe Web browser 120 is activated when the user selects the link.

In a case in which the button 1705 shown in FIG. 17A is pressed, the Webbrowser 120 transmits a request for the Web page for updating the printsettings to the Web application 320 of the bot application server 300.Upon receiving the Web page request, the Web application 320 obtains theprint request information corresponding to the requested URL informationfrom the database 330. The Web application 320 generates the Web pagefor print settings from the initial print setting information of theobtained print request information, and returns the generated Web pageas a response to the above-described request to the client terminal 100.

FIG. 17B shows an example of a print setting screen 1710 as the Web pagefor print settings that has been returned from the Web application 320of the bot application server 300. In the print setting screen 1710, thesetting values of the respective print setting items such as the printsheet size, the sheet type, the layout, and the like can be changed byfields arranged as setting items 1711. Note that each print settingincluded in the setting items 1711 is merely an example, and forexample, other print settings may be included in accordance with thefunction of the printer 500. When a button 1712 arranged in a lowerportion of the print setting screen 1710 is pressed, the setting valuesof the respective print setting items selected at this point and thesettings made on an image print region adjustment screen 1720 shown inFIG. 17C (to be described later) are confirmed, and the print settingscreen 1710 will be closed. When a button 1713 is pressed, the screenshifts to the image print region adjustment screen 1720 shown in FIG.17C. When the button 1714 is pressed, the print setting contents thathave been changed up to that point are discarded. In accordance withthis, the Web browser 120 is ended and closed.

In the image print region adjustment screen 1720 shown in FIG. 17C, apreview image of the image file to be the print target is displayed asan image region 1722. Furthermore, a rectangular region 1725 (a rangeindicated by broken lines in this case) whose aspect ratio is equal tothat of the sheet size set in the setting items 1711 of the printsetting screen 1710 shown in FIG. 17B is overlapped and displayed on theimage region 1722. The print region can be adjusted by translating andscaling the image region 1722 by a user operation. When a rotate button1721 is pressed, the image displayed in the image region 1722 can berotated with respect to the sheet-size rectangular region. When a button1723 is pressed, the screen returns to the print setting screen 1710shown in FIG. 17B in a state in which the changes in the position,magnification, and image position information such as the rotationinformation, and the like are saved. When a cancel button 1724 ispressed, the operation performed in FIG. 17C is discarded, and thescreen returns to the print setting screen 1710 shown in FIG. 17B. Notethat although a return operation to the print setting screen 1710 shownin FIG. 17B has been described as the operation performed when thebuttons 1723 and 1724 are pressed in the image print region adjustmentscreen 1720 shown in FIG. 17C, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, an arrangement in which the print setting informationwill be updated directly on the image print region adjustment screen1720 may be provided as the operation of each of the buttons 1723 and1724.

The user changes the print settings on a Web page for print settingssuch as is shown in each of FIGS. 17B and 17C and presses the button1712 to instruct the print setting update. In accordance with this, theWeb browser 120 of the client terminal 100 transmits a print settingchange request to the Web application 320 of the bot application server300. The print setting change request transmitted here includes theidentification information for uniquely identifying the print requestinformation which is to be the print setting change target and thevarious kinds of print setting information designated by the user on theWeb page for print settings. The Web application 320 of the botapplication server 300 which receives the print setting change requestupdates the print setting information of the print request informationstored in the database 330. Note that the transmission processing of themessage 1703 and the operation using FIGS. 17B and 17C may be performedbetween S1104 and S1106 of FIG. 11 .

After the above-described operation has been executed, the conversationscreen is displayed in the client terminal 100, and the message 1703 asshown in FIG. 17A is displayed again. In this case, the image fileincluded in the message 1702 is printed based on the updated printsetting information when the user presses the button 1704. That is, theprint setting information included in the print request information inS1107 is the print setting information that has been changed by usingFIGS. 17B and 17C.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible toimplement printing via a messaging application. Note that although theabove-described embodiment described an example in which a differentconnect ID is issued for each bot application, a different connect IDmay be issued on another basis. For example, in a case in which theprinter has a user login function, a different connect ID may be issuedon a user basis.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the present invention will describe a formwhich provides a means that can easily reprint an image file of which auser has made a print instruction in the past. Note that the samereference numerals denote components overlapping with those in the firstembodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Processing Sequence]

(Print Setting Update)

FIG. 18 is a sequence chart showing processing until the print settingupdate is performed used when a user operates a client terminal 100 totransmit (upload) an image file to a bot application server 300 andprints the image file.

The user performs an operation to upload an image file from a clientapplication 110 by operating an input device 105 of the client terminal100. In accordance with this, in S1801, the client application 110transmits the designated image file to a messaging service application220 of a messaging application server 200.

In S1802, upon receiving the image file, the messaging serviceapplication 220 transmits an image upload notification to a botapplication 310 of the bot application server 300. Here, thenotification transmitted in S1802 includes at least the identificationinformation that can individually identify the client application 110 ofthe message transmission source in S1801. This identificationinformation may be unique to each client application 110. Alternatively,if it is arranged so that the user is required to log in to the clientapplication 110 when the client application is to be used, it may be theidentification information unique to the login user.

In S1803, upon receiving the notification transmitted in S1802, the botapplication 310 transmits an image file obtainment request to themessaging service application 220 based on the information included inthis notification.

In S1804, upon receiving the request transmitted in S1803, the messagingservice application 220 transmits the requested image file as a responseto the bot application 310.

In S1805, the bot application 310 stores the obtained image file in afile storage 340.

In S1806, the bot application 310 generates print request informationsummarizing the storage destination information of the file storage 340in which the image file is stored, the initial print settinginformation, and the identification information of the clientapplication 110 included in the notification in S1802. In addition, thebot application 310 generates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to accessa Web page for updating the identification information of the generatedprint request information, the expiration date information, and theprint setting information of the print request. Subsequently, the botapplication 310 associates these pieces of information with the printrequest information and stores the associated pieces of information in adatabase 330. The Web page for updating the print setting information ofthe print request will be described later.

In S1807, the bot application 310 transmits an image reception responsemessage request to the messaging service application 220 in order totransmit an image reception response message to the client application110. The request transmitted here includes the URL which is generated inS1806 and is used to access the Web page for updating the print settinginformation and the identification information that can identify theclient application 110 received in the notification in S1802.

In S1808, the messaging service application 220 receives the imagereception response message transmitted in S1807. Upon receiving thismessage, the messaging service application 220 transmits an imagereception response message to the target client application 110 inaccordance with the identification information of the client application110 included in the request. The image reception response messageincludes at least the information of the access URL of the Web page forupdating (changing) the print setting information.

The sequence will be described here in association with the screensshown in FIGS. 17A to 17C described in the first embodiment. A message1701 is the message (not shown in FIG. 18 ) transmitted by the botapplication 310. A message 1702 is a message transmitted (correspondingto S1801 in FIG. 18 ) by the user to transmit an image file in responseto the message 1701. A message 1703 is the image reception responsemessage (corresponding to S1808 in FIG. 18 ) which is displayed by themessaging service application 220 based on the image reception responsemessage request transmitted by the bot application 310 as a response tothe reception of the image file.

For example, in a case in which a button 1704 shown in FIG. 17A ispressed, the client application 110 will transmit a print requestinstruction message to the messaging service application 220. Also, in acase in which a button 1705 is pressed, an instruction to open theaccess URL of the Web page for updating the print setting information,which is included in the image reception response message received inS1808 in FIG. 18 , will be issued. In this case, the client application110 will transmit an instruction to activate a Web browser 120.

Note that this embodiment described a form that performs an operation toactivate the Web browser 120 based on a specific URL when a button ispressed. However, the same effect can be obtained even in an arrangementin which a URL link is directly displayed instead of a button in themessage and the Web browser 120 is activated when the user selects thelink. The sequence of processing performed when the button 1705 ispressed will be described hereinafter.

In S1809, the client application 110 accepts the pressing of the button1705 shown in FIG. 17A by the user.

In S1810, the client application 110 activates the Web browser 120 as anactivation option of the access URL the Web page for updating the printsetting information.

In S1811, the Web browser 120 transmits a request for the instructed Webpage for updating the print setting information to a Web application 320of the bot application server 300.

In S1812, upon receiving the Web page request, the Web application 320obtains the corresponding print request information from the database330 based on the requested URL information.

In S1813, the Web application 320 generates a print setting Web pagebased on the initial print setting information included in the printrequest information obtained in S1812.

In S1814, the Web application 320 returns, as a response to the printsetting Web page request received in S1811, the print setting Web pagegenerated in S1813 to the Web browser 120. Note that in the process ofS1814, the Web application 320 may transmit the identificationinformation for uniquely identifying the print request information.

FIGS. 17B and 17C shown in the first embodiment are examples of theprint setting Web page generated in S1813.

The user changes the print setting information and presses a button 1712to make an instruction to update the print setting information on theprint setting Web page as shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C. In accordance withthis, in S1815, the Web browser 120 transmits a print setting changerequest to the Web application 320 of the bot application server 300.The print setting change request transmitted here includes theidentification information for uniquely identifying the print requestinformation to be the print setting information change target, the printsetting information designated by the user via a print setting screen1710, and the image position information designated by the user via animage print region adjustment screen 1720.

In S1816, upon receiving the print setting change request, the Webapplication 320 updates the print setting information of thecorresponding print request information stored in the database 330.

In S1817, the Web application 320 responds by transmitting a printsetting change acceptance message to the Web browser 120 of the clientterminal 100 that transmitted the print setting change request.

In S1818, upon receiving the print setting change acceptance message,the Web browser 120 closes the print setting Web page. Note that it maybe arranged so that the Web browser 120 will close the print setting Webpage by displaying the print setting change acceptance message inaccordance with the reception of the message. Subsequently, the sequenceends. Note that when the Web browser 120 is closed, a screen (forexample, FIG. 17A) provided by the client application 110 will bedisplayed on the client terminal 100.

(Print Execution)

FIG. 19 is a sequence chart showing the processing, according to thisembodiment, performed until a printer 500 prints a target image filebased on the designated print setting information when the user has madea print instruction by operating the client terminal 100 after the printsetting operation described with reference to FIG. 18 has beenperformed. Note that although the first embodiment described an exampleof a print execution sequence caused by an image upload in FIG. 11 , anexample of a print execution sequence caused by a print instructionmessage will be described here.

When the user presses the button 1704 provided in the message 1703 shownin FIG. 17A, the client application 110 transmits, in S1901, a printinstruction message to the messaging service application 220 of themessaging application server 200. The print instruction messagetransmitted here includes the identification information for identifyingthe client application 110 as the message transmission source and theidentification information of the print request information included inthe image reception response message in S1808.

In S1902, upon receiving the print instruction message, the messagingservice application 220 transmits the print instruction messagenotification to the bot application 310 of the bot application server300. The print instruction message notification transmitted hereincludes the identification information for identifying the clientapplication 110 and the identification information of the print requestinformation included in the print instruction message in S1901.

In S1903, the bot application 310 obtains the matching print requestinformation from the database 330 based on the identificationinformation of the print request information included in the printinstruction message notification received in S1902. Subsequently, thebot application 310 generates a print request from the print requestinformation.

In S1904, the bot application 310 transmits the print request generatedin S1903 to a Web application 430 of a Web print server 400.

In S1905, upon receiving the print request, the Web applicationtransmits an image file request to the bot application 310 based on theimage file storage destination information included in the print requestinformation.

In S1906, the bot application 310 responds to the image file requestreceived in S1905, obtains the corresponding file from the file storage340, and transmits the obtained image file to the Web application 430.

In S1907, the Web application 430 generates a print job based on theprint request information received in S1904 and the image file obtainedin S1906.

In S1908, the Web application 430 transmits a print job notification tothe printer 500 via a print service 420.

In S1909, upon receiving the print job notification, the printer 500transmits a print job request to the Web print server 400.

In S1910, upon receiving the print job request, the Web application 430transmits a print job as a response to the printer 500.

In S1911, upon receiving the print job, the printer 500 performs printprocessing based on the print job by using an output device 506.

In S1912, upon completion of the print processing, the printer 500transmits a print result notification to the Web print server 400.

In S1913, upon receiving the print result notification, the Webapplication 430 transmits the print result notification to the botapplication 310.

In S1914, upon receiving the print result notification, the botapplication 310 transmits a request to transmit a print resultnotification message to the messaging service application 220.

In S1915, upon receiving the print result message transmission request,the messaging service application 220 transmits a print result messageto the client application 110. Subsequently, the sequence ends.

(Table Arrangement)

FIGS. 20A and 20B each show an example of a data table managed by thedatabase 330 of the bot application server 300. A case in which twotables are managed by the database 330 will be exemplified here.

A table T2010 shown in FIG. 20A shows an example of the arrangement of atable for managing the information of the client application 110 and itsassociated printer 500. In S1802 of FIG. 18 , identification informationthat can uniquely identify the client application 110 is included in theimage upload notification received by the bot application 310 from themessaging service application 220. The table T2010 includes thisidentification information (user ID), information (printer ID) foruniquely identifying a printer associated with the client application110, and the initial print setting information which is used whenprinting is performed by the printer. The initial print settinginformation may include items such as the sheet size, sheet type, thelayout, the color mode, and the like as shown in FIG. 20A, but theseitems are not essential. Other items may be present, and differentsetting items may be managed in accordance with the printer.

The information managed by the table T2010 is newly generated when theclient application 110 and the printer 500 are registered in associationwith each other.

When generating the print request information in S1806 of FIG. 18 , thebot application 310 refers to the table T2010 for a record that matchesthe identification information which can uniquely identify the clientapplication 110 included in the image upload notification in S1802 ofFIG. 18 . Subsequently, the bot application 310 sets the print settinginformation described in the corresponding record as the initial printsetting information.

A table T2020 shown in FIG. 20B shows an example of the arrangement of atable for managing the print request information which is generated whenthe image file upload notification is received by the bot application310. In the table T2020, the identification information (user ID) of theclient application 110, the identification information (print requestID) for uniquely identifying the print request information, theexpiration date information (expiration date) of the print requestinformation, the URL (file URL) for accessing the image file which isset as the print target in the print request information and is storedin the file storage 340, and the URL (print setting Web page URL) foraccessing the Web page for updating the currently set print settinginformation are held in association with each other. A predeterminedperiod from, for example, the date and time at which the image file wasstored in S1805 of FIG. 18 or the date and time at which the printrequest was generated in S1806 can be set as the expiration date. Inaddition, the predetermined period may be set arbitrarily by the user ofthe client terminal 100 or on the side of the server. Note that themethod of setting the expiration date to the print request is notlimited to that described above.

When generating a print request in S1903 of FIG. 19 , the botapplication 310 refers to the table T2020 for a record matching theidentification information of the print request information included inthe print instruction message transmitted in S1902. The bot application310 then generates the print request based on the print settinginformation and the file URL in the corresponding record.

In this embodiment, an expiration date is arranged for each printrequest, and print processing is performed after determining theexpiration date when an image file is to be reprinted or the like.Processing performed in a case in which the print request has expiredwill be described hereinafter.

(Notification Processing Performed when Print Request has Expired)

FIG. 21 shows the sequence performed to notify the user of theexpiration of the print request corresponding to the requested printinstruction message based on the expiration date information managed inthe table T2020 of FIG. 20B.

In S2101, as a result of the user pressing the button 1704 provided inthe message 1703 shown in FIG. 17A, the client application 110 of theclient terminal 100 transmits a print instruction message to themessaging service application 220.

In S2102, upon receiving the print instruction message, the messagingservice application 220 transmits a print instruction messagenotification to the bot application 310 of the bot application server300.

In S2103, upon receiving the print instruction message notification fromthe messaging service application 220, the bot application 310 refers tothe table T2020 for a record that matches the identification informationof the print request information included in the notification.Subsequently, the bot application 310 determines whether thecorresponding record has expired. Note that if it is determined that therecord has not expired, the sequence will be the same as the sequenceperformed from S1903 in FIG. 19 .

In S2104, if it is determined that the record has expired as a result ofthe confirmation in S2103, the bot application 310 will not generate theprint request. In this case, the bot application 310 will request themessaging service application 220 to transmit an expiration notificationmessage to the client application 110 of the message transmissionsource.

In S2105, upon receiving the request to transmit the expirationnotification message, the messaging service application 220 transmitsthe expiration notification message to the request target clientapplication 110. Subsequently, the client application 110 displays amessage (not shown) indicating that the print request has expired.Subsequently, the sequence ends.

FIG. 22 shows the sequence performed in a case in which the expirationof the print request is determined when the print setting Web page is tobe accessed via the Web browser 120 in S1810 of FIG. 18 . Since the sameprocesses as those of S1801 to S1812 in FIG. 18 are performed in S2201to S2212, a description will be omitted.

In S2212, the Web application 320 of the bot application server 300obtains, from the database 330, the corresponding print requestinformation based on the requested URL information and determineswhether the print request information has expired. Note that the samesequence as that from S1813 in FIG. 18 will be performed if it isdetermined that the print request has not expired.

In S2213, if it is determined based on the database 330 in S2212 thatthe target print request information has not expired, the Webapplication 320 will not generate the print setting Web page. In thiscase, the Web application 320 will generate an expiration notificationWeb page.

In S2214, the Web application 320 returns the expiration notificationWeb page generated in S2213 to the Web browser 120 of the clientterminal 100.

In S2215, the Web browser 120 displays the expiration notification Webpage received in S2214 on a display device 104 of the client terminal100. FIG. 23 shows a display example of the expiration notification Webpage. The Web browser 120 closes the page and ends the process when theuser presses a close button 2301 on the page. Subsequently, theprocessing sequence ends.

FIG. 24 shows, in a message conversation screen displayed by the clientapplication 110 on the display device 104 of the client terminal 100, anexample of a screen state in which two or more image reception responsemessages to the user are displayed. On the other hand, FIGS. 25A and 25Bshow examples of the print request information registered in thedatabase 330 of the bot application server 300 in this state.

In FIG. 24 , a message 2402 is an image reception response messagetransmitted as a response to a message 2401 (image file) transmitted bythe user. A message 2403 is a print result message for notifying theuser of the result of the print processing which was performed when theuser pressed a button 2421 provided in the message 2402. A message 2405is an image reception response message transmitted as a response to amessage 2404 (image file) transmitted by the user.

FIG. 25A shows, among the data managed in the table T2010 shown in FIG.20A, a table T2510 that shows information (initial print settinginformation) associated with the client application 110 displaying thescreen of FIG. 24 . Assume that the user ID of the client application110 will be “U000001” in the description here. FIG. 25B shows, from thetable T2020 shown in FIG. 20B, a table T2520 that shows the printrequest information associated with the image files transmitted by theuser by the messages 2401 and 2404 in FIG. 24 . A record (print requestID “J-1302”) in the first row of the table T2520 is the print requestinformation associated with the image file of the message 2401. A record(print request ID “J-1305”) in the second row of the table T2520 is theprint request information associated with the image file of the message2404.

Note that although the initial print setting information can includeitems such as the sheet size, the sheet type, the layout, the colormode, and the like as shown in FIG. 25A, these items are not essential.Other items may be present, and different setting items may be managedin accordance with the printer. In the table T2520, the identificationinformation (user ID) of the client application, the identificationinformation (print request ID) for uniquely identifying the printrequest information, the expiration date information (expiration date)of the print request information, the URL (file URL) for accessing theimage file which is set as the print target in the print requestinformation, and the URL (print setting Web page URL) for accessing theWeb page for updating the currently set print setting information areheld in association with each other. For example, a predetermined periodmay be set as the expiration date.

In the example of the record in the first row of the table T2520, thesheet size and the sheet type have been changed to “postcard” and“inkjet postcard”, respectively from those in the initial print settinginformation shown in the table T2510. On the other hand, in the exampleof the record in the second row of the table T2520, the initial printsetting information is used intact.

When the user presses a button 2422 provided in the message 2402, theprint setting Web page URL described in the record in the first row ofthe table T2520 will be requested by the Web browser 120. Subsequently,a print setting Web page as that shown in FIG. 17B is generated based onthe print setting information of the record. Hence, when the button 2422shown in FIG. 24 is pressed, a print setting Web page that has been setin accordance with the print setting information (the sheet size is“postcard”, the sheet type is “inkjet postcard”, the layout is “withborder”, and the color mode is “color”) of the record in the first rowof FIG. 25B is generated.

In addition, when a button 2452 provided in the message 2405 is pressed,the print setting Web page URL described in the record in the second rowof the table T2520 will be requested by the Web browser 120.Subsequently, a print setting Web page as that shown in FIG. 17B isgenerated based on the print setting information (the sheet size is“4×6”, the sheet type is “photo paper”, the layout is “with border”, andthe color mode is “color”) of the record.

On the other hand, when the user presses the button 2421 provided in themessage 2402, a print request is generated based on the print settinginformation described in the record in the first row of the table T2520and the image file obtained from the file URL. In addition, when theuser presses a button 2451 provided in the message 2405, a print requestis generated based on the print setting information described in therecord in the second row of the table T2520 and the image file obtainedfrom the file URL.

As described above, in this embodiment, the bot application will managethe print setting information for each image file at the timing at whichthe image file is received, and will include a unique print setting Webpage URL of each image file in the image reception response messagewhich is to be transmitted onto the conversation screen. Hence, the usercan individually store the print settings for each transmitted imagefile. As a result, an image file that has been printed in the past canbe printed under the same settings as those used when the image file waspreviously printed.

Third Embodiment

The above-described second embodiment provided a means for the user tochange the print settings for each image file on the Web page forperforming print settings as shown in FIG. 17B. On the other hand, theremay be a case in which the user desires to set the print settinginformation to an image file at a certain timing and subsequentlycontinue to perform printing based on the same print settinginformation. In such a case, the user can set the desired print settinginformation as the initial setting for the next and subsequent printingoperations by changing the initial print settings at the time when theimage file is received and the print request information is to begenerated.

FIGS. 26A and 26B each show an example of a screen in which a means thatallows the user to change the next and subsequent initial print settingshas been added to a print setting screen 1710 described with referenceto FIG. 17B in the second embodiment. FIG. 26A shows a state in which aprint setting Web page has been displayed for the first time. FIG. 26Bshows a state at the point in which the user has changed the printsetting information and is to press a button 2602 for storing the printsetting information. Among the settings included in setting items 2601,the sheet size and the sheet type have been changed here. Sincecomponents denoted by reference numerals 2601 to 2604 in FIGS. 26A and26B are the same as those denoted by reference numerals 1711 to 1714described in FIG. 17B, a detailed description will be omitted.

When the button 2602 for storing the print settings is pressed in astate in which a check box 2605 has been checked in FIGS. 26A and 26B,the print setting information in the print request information which ismanaged by the database 330 and is associated with the displayed printsetting Web page is updated. Also, together with this update operation,the initial print setting information managed by the database 330 isalso updated.

A table T2710 shown in FIG. 27A shows the initial print settinginformation at the point at which the print setting Web page wasgenerated. “4×6” is set as the sheet size and “photo paper” is set asthe sheet type in the initial print settings at this point. Adescription of the remaining items will be omitted here. A table T2720shown in FIG. 27B shows the print setting information at the same pointas FIG. 27A. Assume that the print setting information which wasgenerated in the past is indicated in the record in the first row of thetable T2720 and the target print setting information is indicated in therecord in the second row. Since the initial value of the print settinginformation is determined based on the initial print settinginformation, “4×6” is set as the sheet size and “photo paper” is set asthe sheet type at this point. Hence, the print settings shown in FIG.26A indicate that “4×6” is set as the sheet size and “photo paper” isset as the sheet type.

Assume here that, as shown in FIG. 26B, the user has changed the sheetsize to “postcard” and the sheet type to “inkjet postcard” on a Webbrowser 120 and further pressed the button 2602 in a state in which thecheck box 2605 is checked. At this time, the Web browser 120 will alsotransmit an initial print setting change request along with the printsetting change request to a Web application 320 of a bot applicationserver 300. As a result, as shown in a table T2730 of FIG. 27C, thesheet size is changed to “postcard” and the sheet type is changed to“inkjet postcard” in the initial print settings. In addition, as shownin a table T2740 of FIG. 27D, the sheet size is changed to “postcard”and the sheet type is changed to “inkjet postcard” in the print settinginformation. The print setting information which is to be generated whenthe user newly transmits an image file onto the conversation screen inthis state will be generated based on the updated initial print settinginformation. Hence, the sheet size will be set as “postcard” and thesheet type will be set as “inkjet postcard” in the print settinginformation, which corresponds to the newly transmitted image file,stored in the record in the third row of the table T2740 of FIG. 27D.

As described above, this embodiment provides a means for changing theinitial print setting information. As a result, the user can easily setprint settings that have been set once as the initial settings for thenext and subsequent printing setting operations.

Note that although this embodiment exemplified a method of changing theinitial print settings on the print setting Web page for each imagefile, it may be arranged so that a screen for changing only the initialprint setting will be provided.

Fourth Embodiment

The above-described third embodiment showed an arrangement in which abutton for making a print instruction and a button for opening a printsetting Web page by the Web browser 120 are displayed in an imagereception response message that is transmitted by the bot application310 in response to the transmission of an image file. However, forexample, there may be a case in which the user desires to only confirmthe print setting information. Hence, the fourth embodiment willdescribe an embodiment that allows the user to easily confirm the printsetting information.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a screen in which a button for confirmingthe print setting has been provided in each image reception responsemessage according to this embodiment. A message 2801 is an imagereception response message displayed as a response when an image file(not shown) is received as described above. A button 2811 shown here isthe same as a button 1704 shown in FIG. 17A and is a button fortransmitting a print instruction to a bot application 310. When the userpresses a button 2812, the print setting information in the printrequest information corresponding to the image file is transmitted as aresponse message.

A message 2802 is a print setting message received by a clientapplication 110 as a response from the bot application 310 and is amessage displayed when the button 2812 is pressed. The print settinginformation of the print request information corresponding to thecurrent image file is included and displayed in the message 2802. Abutton 2821 and a button 2822 provided in the message 2802 are buttonsfor performing the same operations as those of the button 1704 and abutton 1705 shown in FIG. 17A, respectively.

Note that although four print setting items are displayed in the exampleof FIG. 28 , the displayed items may be increased/decreased inaccordance with the number of the setting items. In addition, theinformation of the printer which is to perform the printing may also bedisplayed with the setting items.

[Processing Sequence]

FIG. 29 is a sequence chart showing the processing performed in responseto the user pressing the button 2812, in the state in which the message2801 of FIG. 28 is displayed, until the message 2802 will be displayed.

In S2901, the client application 110 accepts that the user has pressedthe button 2812 on the conversation screen.

In S2902, in response to the pressing of the button 2812, the clientapplication 110 transmits a print setting confirmation message to amessaging service application 220 of a messaging application server 200.

In S2903, upon receiving the print setting confirmation message, themessaging service application 220 transmits a print setting confirmationmessage notification to the bot application 310 of a bot applicationserver 300.

In S2904, upon receiving the print setting confirmation messagenotification, the bot application 310 obtains the print settinginformation of the corresponding print request information from adatabase 330 and generates a print setting message based on thisinformation.

In S2905, the bot application 310 transmits the print setting messagetransmission request generated in S2904 to the messaging serviceapplication 220.

In S2906, the messaging service application 220 transmits a printsetting message to the target client application 110 based on thereceived print setting message transmission request. A client terminal100 will display a print setting message in the manner of the message2802 shown in FIG. 28 based on this print setting message. Subsequently,the processing sequence ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can easilyconfirm the current print setting information of an image file withoutactivating a Web browser 120.

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No.2018-026403, filed Feb. 16, 2018, and No. 2018-026404, filed Feb. 16,2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system formed by including a client terminalthat includes a messaging application, a server, and a printingapparatus, the client terminal including: one or more processors; andone or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the oneor more processors of the client terminal, cause the client terminal to:transmit printing target data via a messaging screen provided by themessaging application; display a message regarding a printing setting inthe messaging screen; display a setting screen different from themessaging screen based on a user operation for the message, wherein aURL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the setting screen isdisplayed in the setting screen; and transmit printing settinginformation set via the setting screen, the server including: one ormore processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors of the server, cause theserver to: provide a setting screen different from the messaging screento the client terminal based on the user operation for the message, andthe printing apparatus including: one or more processors; and one ormore memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one ormore processors of the printing apparatus, cause the printing apparatusto: execute printing processing based on a printing job based on theprinting target data and the printing setting information.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the setting screen is provided by a Webbrowser.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, in a case wherethe setting screen is provided for printing second printing target dataafter first printing setting information is changed to second printingsetting information in the setting screen for printing first printingtarget data, the second printing setting information is displayed as aninitial value in the setting screen for printing the second printingtarget data.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the printingtarget data transmitted from the client terminal is printed by theprinting apparatus by the client terminal transmitting identificationinformation displayed on the printing apparatus.
 5. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein setting items for setting a sheet size and a sheettype are included on the setting screen.
 6. The system according toclaim 1, wherein a printing complete message is displayed on themessaging screen upon completion of the printing processing.
 7. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus executes theprinting processing using ink.
 8. A system formed by including a serversystem and a printing apparatus, the server system including: one ormore processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors of the server system, causethe server system to: transmit a message regarding a printing setting ina messaging screen provided by messaging application of a clientterminal capable of communicating with the server system; and provide asetting screen different from the messaging screen based on an useroperation for the message, wherein the setting screen is displayed bythe client terminal, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) correspondingto the setting screen is displayed on the setting screen, the printingapparatus including: one or more processors; and one or more memoriesstoring instructions that, when executed by the one or more processorsof the printing apparatus, cause the printing apparatus to: executeprinting processing based on a printing job based on the printing targetdata and the printing setting information.
 9. The system according toclaim 8, wherein the setting screen is provided by a Web browser. 10.The system according to claim 8, wherein in a case where the settingscreen is provided to print second printing target data after firstprinting setting information is changed to second printing settinginformation in the setting screen to print first printing target data,the second printing setting information is displayed in the settingscreen to print the second printing target data as an initial value. 11.The system according to claim 8, wherein the printing target datatransmitted from the client terminal is printed by the printingapparatus by the client terminal transmitting identification informationdisplayed on the printing apparatus.
 12. The system according to claim8, wherein setting items for setting a sheet size and a sheet type areincluded on the setting screen.
 13. The system according to claim 8,wherein a printing complete message is displayed on the messaging screenupon completion of the printing processing.
 14. The system according toclaim 8, wherein the printing apparatus executes the printing processingusing ink.
 15. An information processing apparatus that is provided withmessaging software that communicates with a messaging service via anetwork and executes transmitting and receiving of at least one messageto and from the messaging service, and provides a message screen thatincludes at least a chat area in which the at least one message isdisplayed, the information processing apparatus comprising: one or moreprocessors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors of the information processingapparatus, cause the information processing apparatus to: display, inthe chat area included in the message screen, an instruction area forreceiving an instruction for displaying a print setting screen thatenables a user to perform print setting to be used for printing a file,wherein the print setting screen is different from the message screenand the performed print setting is used to print a file represented byan image displayed in the chat area; and in a case where a user performsan operation for executing printing, a message indicating completion ofprinting is received in response to the printer printing the transmittedcontent, and the message indicating the completion of printing isdisplayed in the chat area of the message screen, and based on receivingthe instruction on the instruction area, display the print settingscreen, wherein a URL indicating a data provider of the print settingscreen and an area for receiving, from a user, a selection of a type ofprint medium, are displayed on the print setting screen.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the selection of a type ofprint medium includes a selection of a paper type and not a selection ofa paper size.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a type ofa print medium includes at least a type indicating a photo paper. 18.The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the message screen includesthe chat area and an area representing at least an user name for themessaging application.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 15, whereinin a case where the information processing apparatus receives anoperation for transitioning to the print setting screen, a display stateof the message screen displayed by the messaging application is switchedto a display state of the print setting screen displayed by a Webbrowser function.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein aninitial print setting value is set in the print setting screen.
 21. Aninformation processing apparatus provided with messaging software thatcommunicates with a messaging service via a network and executestransmitting and receiving of at least one message to and from themessaging service, and provides a message screen that includes at leasta chat area in which the at least one message is displayed, theinformation processing apparatus comprising: one or more processors; andone or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the oneor more processors of the information processing apparatus, cause theinformation processing apparatus to: display, in the chat area includedin the message screen, an instruction area for receiving an instructionfor displaying a print setting screen that enables a user to performprint setting to be used for printing a file, wherein the print settingscreen is different from the message screen and the performed printsetting is used to print a file represented by an image displayed in thechat area; and based on receiving the instruction on the instructionarea, display the print setting screen, wherein a URL indicating a dataprovider of the print setting screen and an area for receiving, from auser, a selection of a type of print medium, are displayed on the printsetting screen.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein theselection of a type of print medium includes a selection of a paper typeand not a selection of a paper size.
 23. The apparatus according toclaim 21, wherein a type of a print medium includes at least a typeindicating a photo paper.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 21,wherein the message screen includes the chat area and an arearepresenting at least an user name for the messaging application. 25.The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein in a case where thereception unit receives an operation for transitioning to the printsetting screen, a display state of the message screen displayed by themessaging application is switched to a display state of the printsetting screen displayed by a Web browser function.
 26. The apparatusaccording to claim 21, wherein an initial print setting value is set inthe print setting screen.
 27. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, providea messaging application that includes a message screen including a chatarea, the instructions causing the messaging application to perform:receiving a transmission instruction of a file in the message screenfrom a user; displaying, in the chat area, an image in the file of thetransmission instruction, and an instruction area for displaying a printsetting screen for performing print setting used for printing the image;and receiving an operation for the instruction area from a user, whereinin response to an operation for the instruction area being received, aprint setting screen different from the message screen is displayed, anda URL indicating a data provider of the print setting screen and an areafor receiving, from a user, a selection of a type of print medium, areincluded in the print setting screen.
 28. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein theselection of a type of print medium is a selection of a paper type andnot a selection of a paper size.
 29. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein a typeof a print medium includes at least photo paper.
 30. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein themessage screen includes the chat area and an area representing at leasta user name for the messaging application.
 31. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein in acase where an operation for transitioning to the print setting screen isreceived, a display state of the message screen displayed by themessaging application is switched to a display state of the printsetting screen displayed by a Web browsing function.
 32. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 27,wherein an initial print setting value is set in the print settingscreen.
 33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 27, wherein the instruction to the instruction areais a pressing of a print setting button.
 34. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause a messaging application that includes amessage screen including a chat area, to perform: displaying, in thechat area included in the message screen, an instruction area forreceiving an instruction for displaying a print setting screen thatenables a user to perform print setting to be used for printing a file,wherein the print setting screen is different from the message screenand the performed print setting is used to print a file represented byan image displayed in the chat area; and based on receiving theinstruction on the instruction area, displaying the print settingscreen, wherein a URL indicating a data provider of the print settingscreen and an area for receiving, from a user, a selection of a type ofprint medium, are displayed on the print setting screen.
 35. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 34,wherein the selection of a type of print medium is a selection of apaper type and not a selection of a paper size.
 36. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 34, wherein a typeof a print medium includes at least photo paper.
 37. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 34, wherein themessage screen includes the chat area and an area representing at leastan user name for the messaging application.
 38. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 34, wherein in acase where an operation for transitioning to the print setting screen isreceived, a display state of the message screen displayed by themessaging application is switched to a display state of the printsetting screen displayed by a Web browsing function.
 39. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 34,wherein an initial print setting value is set in the print settingscreen.
 40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 34, wherein the instruction to the instruction areais a pressing of a print setting button.
 41. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing acomputer of an information processing apparatus provided with amessaging application that communicates with a messaging service via anetwork and which executes transmitting and receiving at least onemessage to and from the messaging service and provides a message screenthat includes at least a chat area in which the at least one message isdisplayed, to perform: communicating with the messaging service anddisplaying the at least one message on the chat area; and receiving anoperation for transitioning to a print setting screen in the chat areawhere an image representing a content to be printed is also displayed inresponse to the content being transmitted to the messaging service,wherein in response to receiving an operation to execute printing from auser, a message indicating completion of printing is received inresponse to the printer printing the transmitted content, and themessage indicating the completion of printing is displayed in the chatarea of the message screen, and in a case where an operation fortransitioning to the print setting screen is received from a user, theprint setting screen including at least a print setting area differentfrom the chat area is displayed, and a print setting for selecting atleast a type of print medium in the print setting area, in which a URLindicating a data provider of the print setting screen is displayed, isreceived.
 42. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storinga program for causing a computer of an information processing apparatusthat is provided with a messaging application that communicates with amessaging service via a network and which executes transmitting andreceiving at least one message to and from the messaging service, andprovides a message screen that includes at least a chat area in whichthe at least one message is displayed, to perform: communicating with amessaging service and displaying the at least one message on the chatarea; and receiving an operation for transitioning to a print settingscreen in the chat area where an image representing content to beprinted is also displayed in response to the content being transmittedto the messaging service, wherein in response to receiving an operationfor transitioning to the print setting screen, the print setting screenincluding at least a print setting area different from the chat area isdisplayed, and a print setting for selecting at least a type of printmedium in the print setting area, in which a URL indicating a dataprovider of the print setting screen is displayed, is received.
 43. Aninformation processing apparatus provided with a messaging applicationthat communicates with a messaging service via a network and whichexecutes transmitting and receiving of at least one message to and fromthe messaging service, and provides a message screen that includes atleast a chat area in which the at least one message is displayed, theinformation processing apparatus comprising: one or more memoriesstoring instructions; and one or more processors that, upon executingthe stored instructions, function as: a first reception unit configuredto receive a transmission instruction of a file in the message screenfrom a user; a displaying unit configured to display an image in thefile and an instruction area for displaying a print setting screen forperforming print setting used for printing the image in the chat area;and a second reception unit for receiving an operation for theinstruction area from a user, wherein in response to an operation forthe instruction area being received from a user by the second receptionunit, a print setting screen different from the message screen isdisplayed, and wherein a URL indicating a data provider of the printsetting screen and an area for receiving, from a user, a selection of atype of print medium, are included in the print setting screen.
 44. Aninformation processing apparatus provided with a messaging applicationthat communicates with a messaging service via a network and whichexecutes transmitting and receiving at least one message to and from themessaging service, and provides a message screen that includes at leasta chat area in which the at least one message is displayed, theinformation processing apparatus comprising: one or more memoriesstoring instructions; and one or more processors that, upon executingthe stored instructions, function as: a display unit configured todisplay an instruction area for displaying information of a file and aprint setting screen for performing print setting used for printing thefile in the chat area; and a reception unit configured to receive aninstruction to the instruction area from a user, wherein in response toan instruction to the instruction area being received by the receptionunit, a print setting screen different from the message screen isdisplayed by the messaging application, and wherein a URL indicating adata provider of the print setting screen and an area for receiving,from a user, a selection of a type of print medium, are displayed on theprint setting screen.
 45. A system comprising a first server providingmessaging service via a network, an information processing apparatusprovided with a messaging application that communicates with the firstserver and executes transmitting and receiving at least one message toand from the messaging service, and provides a message screen thatincludes at least a chat area in which the at least one message isdisplayed, and a second server cooperating with the messagingapplication, wherein, in response to receiving content to be printedwhich are transmitted via the messaging application, the first servertransmits the content to the second server, wherein, in response toreceiving the content from the first server, the second server generatesa print request for the content and transmits the print request to aprinter in a case where the second server receives a print instructionfrom a user, wherein the information processing apparatus comprises areception unit configured to receive an operation for transitioning to aprint setting screen in the chat area where, in addition to the at leastone message being displayed, an image representing contents to beprinted is also displayed in response to the content being transmittedto the messaging service, and in a case where a user performs anoperation for executing printing, a message indicating a completion ofprinting is received in response to the printer printing the transmittedcontent, and the message indicating the completion of printing isdisplayed in the chat area of the message screen, in a case where thereception unit receives from a user the operation for transitioning tothe print setting screen, the print setting screen including at least aprint setting area different from the chat area is displayed, and aprint setting for selecting at least a type of print medium is receivedin the print setting area in which a URL indicating a data provider ofthe print setting screen is displayed.
 46. A system comprising a firstserver providing messaging service via a network, an informationprocessing apparatus that is provided with a messaging application thatcommunicates with the first server and executes transmitting andreceiving of at least one message to and from the messaging service, themessaging application providing a message screen that includes at leasta chat area in which the at least one message is displayed, and a secondserver cooperating with the messaging application, wherein, in responseto receiving content to be printed which are transmitted via themessaging application, the first server transmits the content to thesecond server, wherein, in response to receiving the content from thefirst server, the second server generates a print request for thecontent and transmits the print request to a printer in a case where thesecond server receives a print instruction from a user, wherein theinformation processing apparatus comprises a reception unit configuredto receive an operation for transitioning to a print setting screen inthe chat area where, in addition the at least one message beingdisplayed, an image representing content to be printed is also displayedin response to the content being transmitted to the messaging service,and in response to receiving the operation for transitioning to a printsetting screen, the print setting screen including at least a printsetting area different from the chat area is displayed, and a printsetting for selecting at least a type of print medium is received in theprint setting area in which a URL indicating a data provider of theprint setting screen is displayed.
 47. A system comprising a firstserver providing messaging service via a network, an informationprocessing apparatus that is provided with a messaging application thatcommunicates with the first server and executes sending and receiving ofat least one message to and from the messaging service, and provides amessage screen that includes at least a chat area in which the at leastone message is displayed, and a second server cooperating with themessaging application, wherein, in response to receiving content to beprinted which are transmitted via the messaging application, the firstserver transmits the content to the second server, wherein, in responseto receiving the content from the first server, the second servergenerates print request for the content and transmits the print requestto a printer in a case where the second server receives a printinstruction from a user, wherein the information processing apparatuscomprises: first reception unit configured to receive a transmissioninstruction of a file in the message screen from a user; displaying unitconfigured to display an image in the file, and an instruction area fordisplaying a print setting screen for performing print setting used forprinting the image in the chat area; and second reception unit forreceiving an operation for the instruction area from a user, wherein inresponse to an operation for the instruction area being received by thesecond reception unit, the print setting screen different from themessage screen is displayed, and a URL indicating a data provider of theprint setting screen and an area for receiving, from a user, a selectionof a type of print medium, are included in the print setting screen. 48.A system comprising a first server providing messaging service via anetwork, an information processing apparatus that is provided with amessaging application that communicates with the first server andexecutes transmitting and receiving at least one message to and from themessaging service, and provides a message screen that includes at leasta chat area in which the at least one message is displayed, and a secondserver cooperating with the messaging application, wherein in responseto receiving content to be printed which is transmitted via themessaging application, the first server transmits the content to thesecond server, in response to receiving the content from the firstserver, the second server generates a print request for the content andtransmits the print request to a printer in a case where the secondserver receives a print instruction from a user, the informationprocessing apparatus comprises: display unit configured to display aninstruction area for displaying information of a file and a printsetting screen for performing print setting used for printing the filein the chat area; and reception unit configured to receive aninstruction to the instruction area from a user, in response to aninstruction to the instruction area being received by the receptionunit, a print setting screen different from the message screen isdisplayed by the messaging application, and a URL indicating a dataprovider of the print setting screen and an area for receiving, from auser, a selection of a type of print medium, are displayed on the printsetting screen.